Charan could not concentrate on things properly these days. Even though he missed Shreya, he was coping with it knowing that the separation was just temporary. And knowing the reason and cause and effect of the reason actually helped. He did not know what he would have done if she had blindly pushed him away without explaining anything to him. It would have probably killed him. But the craving wouldn't have been any less.

But these past few days have been particularly hellish. After reading the article on the paper, he could really calm down his anxiety. Because he knew too well why it was so important to keep Shreya's identity and her real status in Sri corp. a secret. He knew about the dangers that will linger around her if and when her abilities and powers get exposed.

Of course, he also knew what happened the last time when Shreya exposed herself and her powers. And he could only imagine what would happen now especially after the kidnapping episode. He was sure it would a lot worse than a cut on the palm or a scratch on the waist that her ex-husband gave her.

He knew her powers too.. he knew nobody can do anything to her as long as she doesn't allow it. After all, it was she who willingly went ahead and married Prasanna.. and it was also she who willingly went ahead and got herself kidnapped. And that was the most worrying part for Charan.. that she would willingly go into the lion's den by herself to get to the lion without caring for her own safety.

"You promised, Shreya. You promised to keep yourself safe.. And I am never going to forgive you if you break that promise.." Charan mumbled under his breath looking at Shreya's contact information. But in the end, he did not dial the number after all. And he had been doing the same retinue for a couple of times now in the past few days.

A soft pair of legs walked out into his line of sight breaking his stupor.

"Hey, baby. What is it?" Charan asked looking at his daughter while simultaneously scooting her into his laps.

Akira did not really say anything at first. Her eyes silently fell on the phone still lite on the table in the front with Shreya's name on it and her eyes involuntarily lingered for a minute longer before the phone powered down locking itself.

Then she asked in a small voice after hesitating for a long time, "Dada.. is Shreya angry with us?"

It had been almost a month and a half now from seeing Shreya for the last time. After that, Shreya neither called nor visited. And as she promised Shreya, Akira never asked Charan about it. But in spite of herself, she couldn't control her own doubts and grievances. And she can only air them to Charan after all. So, at last, she asked Charan without being able to control herself.

Charan was slightly surprised by the question at first. But then he looked at her daughter seriously before answering her, "No, baby. She is not mad at us."

"Then, why isn't she calling or coming over?" Akira asked.

"What did Shreya tell you?" Charan asked instead of answering her. After all, he did not really know what Shreya had actually told Akira in the first place.

Akira thought back and said thoughtfully after a while, "She said she is going to be busy for a while and that she will not be able to meet us. And that I have to listen to you and not trouble you.. and that I shouldn't ask you about her.." She said everything honestly as she remembered.

Charan's lips twitched. This was Shreya after all. She had actually covered all grounds here.

"Exactly baby. Shreya is just going to be busy for a while.. that is why she is not calling or coming to meet." Charan said softly.

"What is she busy with?" Akira asked frowning. There was a slight irritation in her voice as she said this. As if she was asking, what can be more important than she herself.

Charan's lips twitched at his daughter's brazenness but then he also knew his daughter actually had a point.. for Shreya.. there was probably nothing more important than Akira.. and he also knew that Akira was also the sole reason why Shreya came to such a drastic decision in the first place. If it had been only him, Shreya probably would have just tightened the security around him and been careful. But him having Akira and how much she means to Shreya was what toppled her confidence.. for once Shreya knew what fear was because of Akira.. and what she meant to Shreya.

"She is fighting some really bad guys baby and she is afraid that the bad guys will hurt you if Shreya was with us now. That is why she is staying away from us, baby." Charan explained patiently.

"What did they do?" Akira asked once again frowning.

Charan paused for a while. He had never lied about anything to Akira so far and he was not about to start now. But then he still wanted to tell her the information in the most humane way he possibly could. So he coined his words very carefully, "Akira have dada, right? And mama before she was sick.. Shreya had mama and dada just like you. But some people took them away from her. Now Shreya is going to find them and punish them for it.."

Akira took a while to actually understand what Charan was saying. He did not even know what she actually understood but she stopped asking questions after that to Charan's relief. All she did was turn around and circle her tiny hands around his neck and mumbled in a small voice, "I miss her.."

"I know, baby. I miss her too. But we have to be patient and wait for her okay? What she is doing is really important.. And she will be back once she is done with it. Till then we should be good by ourselves okay?" Charan comforted her the best he could gently rubbing on her back.

Akira did not reply for a long time before mumbling a reluctant, "Okay.."

Charan then took her to her room and put her to sleep. It had been tough putting her to sleep.. one day he even found her wide away when he came in to check up on her in the middle of the night. But somehow, she actually fell asleep very easily.

Just as he closed the doors behind him, his phone rang. It was Preethi.

"Hey, what's up?" He asked on the phone.

"Mom asked you to come early home this Friday. She needs your help with something at home.." Preethi said straight off the bat without really bothering to greet him but then he would never expect anything more from his sister when she sounded that tired anyway. He knew she was probably just off her duty and also probably only remembered Srimathi's instructions out of fluke. His mum should have told her this way early when she was about to go to work.

"Okay.. I will try and get there quicker.." Charan said with a smile.

All he heard for a reply was a big ass yawn and engine starting.

"Okay.. bye.." Preethi mumbled.

But just as she was going to cut the call, Charan called out for her, "Hey, wait.. one more thing.."

"What is it?" Preethi asked impatiently. After all, Charan was keeping her from her sleep.

"Is Adam with you?" Charan asked.

"Yes.. here.." Preethi said and simply handed over the phone to Adam beside her without really bothering with the why's and the what's.

Adam just looked at her bewildered for a second before talking into the phone.

"Hey, Charan. What is it?" Adam asked after a while. It may be because Shreya is his friend, but surprisingly so, he actually got along well with both of Preethi's brothers. After all, you can even convince your girlfriend's father but it was almost impossible to win the favor of your girlfriend's brothers.

"Hey.. It is just.. I saw the news on the paper.. And it's just.. is she okay?" Charan asked slightly fumbling around with words. He did not even know what he was supposed to be asking anyway.

Adam got what was biting him. So he answered back with a resolute firm voice, "Charan.. you don't have to worry. Shreya is fine. She is not even in the country. They can't touch her. I promise. You don't need to worry.."

Charan's lips smirked as he thought to himself.. Well, that is something he really can't do.. But all he said on the phone was, "Okay. Thanks, man. Take care.." And cut the call.

Something, at last, eased in his chests. But nothing could completely rid of him of his worries. After all, he actually knew what Shreya would have to do now that her identity is exposed. So it was almost impossible for him not to worry. But at least, for today, he knew she was safe.